The Church of Saint Sophia is located in the center of the Berat Castle, along the route that leads to the “Onufri” Iconographic Museum, and represents one of the objects of Christian worship with a history intertwined between glorious periods and the great challenges of recent centuries. According to studies on the structure of the foundations and analysis of building materials, the church dates back to the 17th – 18th centuries, and bears the features of Albanian post-Byzantine architecture.
The church has a simple rectangular plan, with a semi-circular eastern apse, and represents a restrained architectural style with an emphasis on the liturgical function. For its historical and architectural values, it has been declared a second-category cultural monument, enjoying legal protection.
During World War II, the church was severely damaged by German air raids, resulting in the loss of part of its structure and decoration. However, in 1946, a group of dedicated believers undertook the reconstruction of the church, a fact documented by a commemorative plaque discovered during subsequent restoration work.
During the communist regime, the building lost its religious function and was transformed into a kindergarten, like many other religious buildings in Albania. This period left deep traces on the appearance and use of the church.
An in-depth restoration project to restore the historical and spiritual identity of the building began in 2021, with the support of cultural heritage institutions and the local community. The restoration was completed in 2024, with the ceremony of its resurrection as a place of worship, rededicated to Saint Sophia, turning this church into an important point for the religious and historical life of the Berat Castle.
